Effect of surfactant and surfactant blends on pseudoternary phase diagram behavior of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters

Background: The purpose of this study was to select appropriate surfactants or blends of surfactants to study the ternary phase diagram behavior of newly introduced palm kernel oil esters. Methods: Nonionic surfactant blends of Tween® and Tween®/Span® series were screened based on their solubilization capacity with water for palm kernel oil esters. Tween® 80 and five blends of Tween® 80/Span® 80 and Tween® 80/Span® 85 in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value range of 10.7–14.0 were selected to study the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters using the water titration method at room temperature. Results: High solubilization capacity was obtained by Tween® 80 compared with other surfactants of Tween® series. High HLB blends of Tween® 80/Span® 85 and Tween® 80/Span® 80 at HLB 13.7 and 13.9, respectively, have better solubilization capacity compared with the lower HLB values of Tween® 80/Span® 80. All the selected blends of surfactants were formed as waterin- oil microemulsions, and other dispersion systems varied in size and geometrical layout in the triangles. The high solubilization capacity and larger areas of the water-in-oil microemulsion systems were due to the structural similarity between the lipophilic tail of Tween® 80 and the oleyl group of the palm kernel oil esters. Conclusion: This study suggests that the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters, water, and nonionic surfactants is not only affected by the HLB value, but also by the structural similarity between palm kernel oil esters and the surfactant used. The information gathered in this study is useful for researchers and manufacturers interested in using palm kernel oil esters in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation. The use of palm kernel oil esters can improve drug delivery and reduce the cost of cosmetics

Formulation And Characterization Of Palm Oil Esters Based Nano-Cream For Topical Delivery Of Piroxicam: Study Of In Vitro Release And In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory And Analgesic Effects

During recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of topical vehicle systems that could assist drug permeation through the skin. The drugs of interest usually those causing or having problems when given orally, e.g., easily hydrolyzed in the gastro-intestinal tract, poor bioavailability or to cause adverse reactions. One such drug is piroxicam, a highly effective anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic but causes gastro-intestinal ulcers and bleeding. One of the most promising vehicle systems for trans-dermal permeation of drugs is a nano-cream, a semisolid emulsion with droplet size of 20-200 nm. The main purpose of this study is to formulate a novel nano-cream containing piroxicam for topical delivery and to use palm oil esters (POEs) a new derrivetised palm oil as the oil phase. In the initial study, pseudoternary phase diagrams of water, POEs and non-ionic surfactant mixture of several HLB values were constructed and several promising nano-cream formulae were selected. The stability under different temperatures and other properties of the formulations including the rheological behaviour, zeta potential, droplet size and structural characteristics of the formulation and Solubility and partition coeffecient of piroxicam were studied

Perception of Nigerian Cocoa Farmers on Child Labour: Implications for Hazardous Child Labour

This paper investigated perception of Nigerian cocoa farmers on Hazardous Child Labour. More importantly, in accordance with International Labour Organisation Child Labour Convention. Accidents, exposure to chemicals, bacteria or viral infection, ergonomically inappropriate tools, child molestation, minimum age requirement, awkward posture, and poor academic performance were identified as farm hazards. Multistage sampling technique was used for the methodology, the selection of study areas, Ondo and Cross-River states was purposive and 240 respondents were randomly selected. Information were solicited by issuance of questionnaires and interview schedule. Data were analysed using percentage, mean, frequency counts, standard deviation, pie chart, bar chart and correlation analysis. The study revealed a mean age of 45.32±8 years and 66.67% of the farmers, who employed children between 5-17 years of which 80% of them were attending secondary schools as labourers. Cocoa farmers (63%) had one form of education which is an indication of being able to read and write. Almost half of the respondents (49.58%) attested that, they can call upon these children, to work at any time on their cocoa farms. Respondents (60.40%) employed only family labour for their farming activities. Population of 50.80% of the respondents held the view that, child labour was part of socialization and 52.50% saw it as a way of building children up for future. Farmers (55.80%) reported that, child labour was a source of cheap labour and 82.50% of respondents had worked on the farm as labourer during their growing up years. It was revealed that, majority of farmers have high awareness and knowledge on hazardous child labour based on the listed farm hazards, however their practice also was high. Correlation analysis showed that, there was positive and significant relationship between perception and practice of hazardous child labor, r = 0.628** (P≤0.01) which indicated that, majority of respondents are still in the practice of exposing children labourers to hazards. It was concluded that, cocoa farmers should change their perception on hazardous child labour, as it negatively affects the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of a children. Furthermore, awareness should be created to educate farmers in the study areas, on definition and why hazardous child labour should be eliminated. This will contributes to households breaking out of the cycle of poverty and the country to advance in human development

Lunasin and Bowman-Birk Protease Inhibitor Concentrations of Protein Extracts from Enzyme-Assisted Aqueous Extraction of Soybeans

Lunasin and Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) are two soybean peptides to which health-promoting properties have been attributed. Concentrations of these peptides were determined in skim fractions produced by enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP) of extruded full-fat soybean flakes (an alternative to extracting oil from soybeans with hexane) and compared with similar extracts from hexane-defatted soybean meal. Oil and protein were extracted by using countercurrent twostage EAEP of soybeans at 1:6 solids-to-liquid ratio, 50C, pH 9.0, and 120 rpm for 1 h. Protein-rich skim fractions were produced from extruded full-fat soybean flakes using different enzyme strategies in EAEP: 0.5% protease (wt/g extruded flakes) used in both extraction stages; 0.5% protease used only in the second extraction stage; no enzyme used in either extraction stage. Countercurrent two-stage protein extraction of air-desolventized, hexane-defatted soybean flakes was used as a control. Protein extraction yields increased from 66% to 89-96% when using countercurrent two-stage EAEP with extruded full-fat flakes compared to 85% when using countercurrent two-stage protein extraction of air-desolventized, hexane-defatted soybean flakes. Extruding full-fat soybean flakes reduced BBI activity. Enzymatic hydrolysis reduced BBI contents of EAEP skims. Lunasin, however, was more resistant to both enzymatic hydrolysis and heat denaturation. Although using enzymes in both EAEP extraction stages yielded the highest protein and oil extractions, reducing enzyme use to only the second stage preserved much of the BBI and Lunasin

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreaks

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a single-stranded RNA-enveloped virus that belongs to the Coronaviridae family. Initially reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus originating from bats and transmitted from camels to humans and among humans by contact. It causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections and in some instances can lead to renal failure or death. This chapter provides an overview of the virologic aspects, outbreaks and risk factors, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, as well as prevention and management of MERS-CoV infection

Is efficacy of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in mid to late adolescents and young adults related to craniofacial sutures opening? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Transverse maxillary deficiency is a relatively common type of malocclusion, that if left untreated will probably affect the permanent dentition. Recent investigations have proposed the use of bone-supported miniscrews around the midpalatal suture to expand the palate in late adolescents. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of the Miniscrew Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) technique in young adult patients, by quantifying skeletal expansion in relation to the age of the patient, as well as the impact upon other craniofacial sutures, and to describe the possible dental side effects. An electronic and manual search was conducted, in which 17 were included in the study. The estimated mean palatal opening width and nasal cavity width was 2.99 ± 0.33 mm and 2.24 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. A significant association was observed between midpalatal and pterygoid suture opening (p=0.010). No association was found between age and the MARPE technique (p=0.701). The results of this study show that the MARPE technique produces significant opening width in young adults at both at midpalatal suture and nasal cavity level, and apparently only significantly widens the pterygoid suture. Greater dental side effects are directly associated to a reduced midpalatal suture opening width

Formulation and in vitro release evaluation of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters-based nanoemulsion delivery system for 30% ethanolic dried extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria for skin antiaging

Elrashid Saleh Mahdi1, Azmin Mohd Noor1, Mohamed Hameem Sakeena1, Ghassan Z Abdullah1, Muthanna F Abdulkarim1, Munavvar Abdul Sattar2 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 2Department of Physiology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Background: Recently there has been a remarkable surge of interest about natural products and their applications in the cosmetic industry. Topical delivery of antioxidants from natural sources is one of the approaches used to reverse signs of skin aging. The aim of this research was to develop a nanoemulsion cream for topical delivery of 30% ethanolic extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria (P. urinaria) for skin antiaging. Methods: Palm kernel oil esters (PKOEs)-based nanoemulsions were loaded with P. urinaria extract using a spontaneous method and characterized with respect to particle size, zeta potential, and rheological properties. The release profile of the extract was evaluated using in vitro Franz diffusion cells from an artificial membrane and the antioxidant activity of the extract released was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results: Formulation F12 consisted of wt/wt, 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 0.5% glyceryl monostearate, 12% PKOEs, and 27% Tween® 80/Span® 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and a 59.5% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4. Formulation F36 was comprised of 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 1% glyceryl monostearate, 14% PKOEs, 28% Tween® 80/Span® 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and 56% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4 with shear thinning and thixotropy. The droplet size of F12 and F36 was 30.74 nm and 35.71 nm, respectively, and their nanosizes were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy images. Thereafter, 51.30% and 51.02% of the loaded extract was released from F12 and F36 through an artificial cellulose membrane, scavenging 29.89% and 30.05% of DPPH radical activity, respectively. Conclusion: The P. urinaria extract was successfully incorporated into a PKOEs-based nanoemulsion delivery system. In vitro release of the extract from the formulations showed DPPH radical scavenging activity. These formulations can neutralize reactive oxygen species and counteract oxidative injury induced by ultraviolet radiation and thereby ameliorate skin aging. Keywords: nanoemulsions, Phyllanthus urinaria, skin antiaging, palm kernel oil ester

Effect of surfactant and surfactant blends on pseudoternary phase diagram behavior of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters

Elrashid Saleh Mahdi1, Mohamed HF Sakeena1, Muthanna F Abdulkarim1, Ghassan Z Abdullah1,3, Munavvar Abdul Sattar2, Azmin Mohd Noor11Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 2Department of Physiology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaBackground: The purpose of this study was to select appropriate surfactants or blends of surfactants to study the ternary phase diagram behavior of newly introduced palm kernel oil esters.Methods: Nonionic surfactant blends of Tween® and Tween®/Span® series were screened based on their solubilization capacity with water for palm kernel oil esters. Tween® 80 and five blends of Tween® 80/Span® 80 and Tween® 80/Span® 85 in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value range of 10.7–14.0 were selected to study the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters using the water titration method at room temperature.Results: High solubilization capacity was obtained by Tween® 80 compared with other surfactants of Tween® series. High HLB blends of Tween® 80/Span® 85 and Tween® 80/Span® 80 at HLB 13.7 and 13.9, respectively, have better solubilization capacity compared with the lower HLB values of Tween® 80/Span® 80. All the selected blends of surfactants were formed as water-in-oil microemulsions, and other dispersion systems varied in size and geometrical layout in the triangles. The high solubilization capacity and larger areas of the water-in-oil microemulsion systems were due to the structural similarity between the lipophilic tail of Tween® 80 and the oleyl group of the palm kernel oil esters.Conclusion: This study suggests that the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters, water, and nonionic surfactants is not only affected by the HLB value, but also by the structural similarity between palm kernel oil esters and the surfactant used. The information gathered in this study is useful for researchers and manufacturers interested in using palm kernel oil esters in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation. The use of palm kernel oil esters can improve drug delivery and reduce the cost of cosmetics.Keywords: phase diagram, palm kernel oil esters, nonionic surfactants, microemulsion

A novel model for solar radiation prediction

Energy for fulfilling basic community/individual needs has come to constitute the first article of expectation in all contemporary societies. The exploitation of renewables notably solar in electricity generation has brought relief to the fulfilment of energy demand especially among susceptible communities. In this paper yearly minimum solar radiation of Kano (12.05°N; 08.2°E; altitude 472.5 m; 3 air density 1.1705 kg/m3) for 46 years is used to generate a prediction model that fits the data using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) and a new model termed autoregressive moving average process (ARMAP). Comparison between the ARMA and ARMAP models showed a tremendous improve in the sum of square error reduction between the actual data and the forecasted data by 47%

A very compact metamaterial-based triple-band sensor in terahertz spectrum as a perfect absorber for human blood cancer diagnostics

In this dynamic environment, early cancer identification and surveillance have become vital problems. This research paper explores the development of a small, three-band sensor harnessing the potential of terahertz (THz) technology and metamaterials (MTMs) to diagnose blood cancer. This sensor holds the promise of a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancer by offering a non-invasive, highly accurate approach. Terahertz radiation, occupying the unique "THz gap" in the electromagnetic spectrum, is now accessible due to recent technological breakthroughs. This work simplifies the design of multiple-band metamaterial absorbers, enhancing their effectiveness and expanding their sensing capabilities. Through the integration of THz technology, metamaterial engineering, and cancer detection, the suggested sensor seeks to launch a new phase of rapid, precise, and non-invasive blood cancer diagnosis. The proposed structure capable of distinguishing cancer and normal cell with 1GHz sensitivity. Although, this difference looks similar it would be easy when we consider the THz technology devices. This work represents a significant step forward in non-invasive, accurate diagnostics for blood cancer, promising to revolutionize the way this disease is diagnosed and treated. The novel strategy put out has a lot of promise to advance medical diagnostics and enhance patient outcomes